It's indisputable that besides from the civil war in Iraq, the primary reason that Democrats swept the midterm elections is voter disgust with the environment of corruption, lack of transparency and the huge amount of money spent on negative commercials.
If Democrats ignore this message and do not consider ways in which they can restore respect for political parties and the process in general, the last round of victories will be short-lived.
There is a crisis of confidence and respect in the political system that must be addressed. Party affiliation has been on the decline for years. In the 27 states where voters can register as "Independents" the number of citizens who have done so has gone from 8% in 1987 to 24% in 2004.
Following on the heels of the Democratic sweep, the Association of Democratic State Chairs (ASDC) recently held their bi-annual meeting in Wyoming. The main topic focused on how Democrats can build on the results of November 7th. Governor Howard Dean and the Reverend Jim Wallis addressed the 50 state chairs. Both speakers emphasized that Democrats must make grassroots efforts to connect with all voters across the nation, no matter where they live or what their religion or background.
This is easier said than done. Little to nothing is spent to build citizen support at the grassroots level. 70% of all political money is spent on 30-second commercials. Most voters only see political parties through the lens of television. $1.6 billion was spent on political television ads in 2004 and more than $1 billion was spent during the past election cycle. More of this money needs to go towards party building at the local level.
Now that the election is over we must remember this: voters spoke loud and clear to Washington. It's time for our politicians to listen and speak back. The state chairs actually have their ears to the ground. They know that the people want a sustained dialogue, a conversation that begins during the election and continues well after the ballots are counted.
One of the ways that Democrats historically kept this dialogue moving was through the ongoing practice of civic engagement: the party aided individuals in their communities' year in-year out. This practice essentially has more or less died out over the past fifty years and respect for the Party has declined. Bringing back civic engagement as a regular Democratic activity is a way to ensure that we don't lose touch with the needs of the country's voters.
With this in mind, an organization called Blue Tiger Democrats was founded in 2006 with the goal of regaining respect for the Democratic Party by returning to civic engagement.
At the Wyoming meeting, the state chairs were updated on Blue Tiger's activities and the organizations role in maintaining a meaningful dialogue with citizens in between elections.
In 2006, Blue Tiger experimented with community-based civic engagement activities in Michigan, New York, Arizona.
At the meeting, the President of the ASDC and Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party made the announcement that Michigan will be the first state in the nation to adopt Blue Tiger Democrats core principles of civic engagement as a permanent part of its party structure.
Other Democratic officials have heeded the call for a renewed emphasis on civic engagement activities as well. Maryland Democratic chair Terry Lierman, New York Lt. Gov-elect, David Paterson, and Arizona Democratic chair, David Waid have all agreed to join the Blue Tiger cause and provide input on the organization's 2006 endeavors in Michigan and to help shape future programs in Michigan and other states. These prominent party figures understand the need to stay in touch with voters at the local level.
It is simply not enough to speak to citizens once a year on Election Day. Rather, the Party needs to find ways to engage people on a regular basis, year round. It is imperative for our party to reach out to voters in ways that show that we care. We must embrace civic engagement as a key element to bringing citizens back into the Democratic fold.
Our party system needs reform and new thinking or the structure will wither away. There was serious thinking about regaining respect for the party in Wyoming. It is finally time for Democrats to address grassroots issues and community needs. If the beltway crowd can't hear this call for a change, their days will be numbered.
William Samuels is the founder and President of Blue Tiger Democrats